Apparatus for carrying one or more items

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for carrying one or more items is provided. In an implementation, an example carrying device includes a flexible band and adjustable fasteners that may be attached to a variety of articles, such as the handle of a piece of rolling luggage, to secure drinks from spilling and to manage other personal articles. The example carrying device is adjustable to attach to articles of various sizes, for example to a narrow handle or to a large cooler, while securing containers in an upright position.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/563,420 Vesterby, filed Nov. 23, 2011 and entitled, “Apparatus for Carrying One or More Items,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

When a traveler or commuter is carrying hot coffee, bottled beverages 106, and other personal effects that need to be readily retrieved, such as airplane boarding passes, magazines, and documents, it is often difficult to manage an armload of such articles and also carry or pull luggage or a rolling bag. It may also be difficult to find a safe and sanitary place in a public transportation facility to set down the beverage or the documents when the items are carried separately. A person carrying many articles has a difficult time freeing a hand for additional tasks, such as transactions or holding a handrail.

SUMMARY

An apparatus for carrying one or more items is provided. In an implementation, an example carrying device includes a flexible band and adjustable fasteners that may be attached to a variety of articles, such as the handle of a piece of rolling luggage, to secure drinks from spilling and to manage other personal articles. The example carrying device is adjustable to attach to articles of various sizes, for example to a narrow handle or to a large cooler, while securing containers in an upright position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example carrying device, attached to the handle of a rolling bag or rolling luggage, and securing a paper cup of hot coffee cup and a bottle of water or juice.

FIG. 2 is a side-view diagram of the example carrying device as attached to a handle of luggage and securing a lidded coffee cup and a bottle of liquid.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached low on the handle of an example piece of rolling luggage.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the example carrying device as attached to a rolling bag.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the example carrying device as attached to a piece of rolling luggage, and securing personal effects such as phone, documents, cards, boarding passes, and mobile computing devices.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example construction layout of the example carrying device.

FIG. 7 is a side-view diagram of example seam construction of the example carrying device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of example pocket construction of the example carrying device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of example construction of the example carrying device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of example construction of the example carrying device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the example carrying device as worn around a user's waist.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the example carrying device as attached to a drink dispenser or spigoted liquid dispenser.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached to a five gallon bucket.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached to a tool box.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached to a work table.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached to an equipment bag, book bag, business briefcase, or carrying bag.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached to the handle of a lifting dolly.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of the example carrying device in a folded easy-store configuration.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached snugly to fit to the backrest of a portable folding chair.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached snugly to fit to the legs of a portable folding table.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached snugly to the back supports of a portable folding ladder.

FIG. 22 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached snugly to fit around the circumference of a portable plastic utility carrier.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of the example carrying device attached snugly to fit around the circumference of a portable golf (club) bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure describes apparatuses for carrying one or more items. The apparatuses, as shown in the example carrying devices 100 of FIGS. 1-23, attach to luggage, handles 102 of luggage, bags, articles, equipment, and other objects to carry a user's cups 104, bottles 106, containers, papers, and other personal effects. An example carrying device 100 manages coffee, beverages, and personal effects (boarding pass, driver's license, cell phone, business cards, newspaper, magazines, etc.) in order to free the user's hands. A given user may be carrying or pulling a piece of luggage, carrying a bucket, or in the vicinity of other articles or equipment to which the example carrying device 100 attaches. For example, a traveler at an airport or subway may have an armload of loose personal or family items, such as a cup 104 of coffee, food, a cell phone, a boarding pass, magazines, a baby bottle, etc. The example carrying device 100 attaches to a piece of luggage or to other example articles—or to the user—and secures the various loose items for the user, while freeing the user's hands.

In an implementation, the carrying device 100 allows the traveler or other user to place at least one lidded beverage container, such as a lidded coffee or tea cup 104 and/or at least one capped beverage container, such as bottled water 106 or soda, into the device, which in one example implementation wraps around or is attached to the handle 102 of luggage, thus freeing hands to perform other tasks such as making a phone call, doing a transaction, or carrying a child. Often, there are no beverage holders or tables at airport terminal gates, seating areas, trains, or in rental car or parking shuttles, so the example carrying device 100 also provides a sanitary location to place a beverage, and the other items, when the traveler is sitting at various locations in the terminal, rather than having to place the beverage on the floor or on an adjacent seat. The example carrying device 100 also prevents spills caused by other travelers kicking the beverage or from the beverage falling over, from lack of balance, on a seat cushion.

In an implementation, the example carrying device 100 is designed with a convenience pocket that also provides a safe and sanitary place to set a mobile device, which can be used in transit or while charging the device at a gate or other location. The pocket can also be used for quick and easy storage and access to a boarding pass, driver's license, passport, business cards and other items.

The example carrying device 100 may include one or more article holders each made of a band of material to form a ring against the flexible belt. Each band may be sized to hold a cup, a tool, an instrument, etc. In one implementation, one or more of the article bands may be adjustable to hold different sizes of different articles at various times.

Whereas the article bands just described form a ring of material with an open top and open bottom, the article holders may be pockets, with a closed bottom. In an implementation, the band or the pockets are tapered so that the top opening of the band or pocket is larger than the bottom of the pocket or the bottom opening of the band. These tapered bands or pockets allow the holder to secure a tapered or a conical object, such as a tapered paper cup, a tapered tool, or even a tapered ice cream cone.

In an implementation, the example carrying device 100 also includes one or more convenient small narrow pockets that can be used for beverage splash sticks, sugar packets, straws, pens, and so forth.

The example carrying device 100 can be wrapped, strapped, or in other ways attached onto the extending handle 102 of a roller bag or other luggage item to hold a beverage or other item and to render the beverage or other item readily available. When not in use, the example carrying device 100 can then be tucked away in the user's pocket or a pocket of the luggage. By reducing the handle 102 of the roller bag or rolling suitcase down to a short length, e.g., down to slightly above the carrying device 100, the user can maintain the bag in a relatively upright position in order to maintaining the liquid surface of the beverage in a safe horizontal position. Using the example carrying device 100 in this manner is safer and more convenient for the user than holding the lidded beverage in a separate hand while carrying the often-heavy bag in the other arm, particularly when navigating tight spaces such as rows and the aisles of busses, trains, taxis, and airplanes. Moreover, when the example carrying device 100 is attached to the piece of luggage, and one or more beverages and/or documents are stored in or on the carrying device 100, the user may manage all of these various items by simply holding the luggage handle 102. This allows the user to free the other hand for holding a handrail or other steadying object, such as airplane seat, to provide support and safety as the traveler moves about the cabin of a train or airplane, or when ducking into a taxi. The traveler may then transfer the beverage to a safe location, such as to a cup holder or the back pocket of a seat. Then the traveler may place the example carrying device 100 in a pocket on their bag or luggage, and stow the carrying device 100 away for travel.

Alternatively, the example apparatus may be transferred to a conventional seat back tray in an upright position, such as those conventionally found on airplanes and trains, thus allowing the user to further access the carrying device 100 and the items therein or thereon during seated travel.

In an implementation, the example carrying device 100 assists parents and guardians traveling with children to carry baby bottles and beverages for their children in a safe and sanitary location. Because the apparatus may be secured at a low location that a toddler or older child can reach, the carrying device 100 allows the parent to leave the child's beverage, such as a soda, in the holder for the child to drink from rather than requiring the child to carry the beverage through the airport or gate with risk of dropping or spilling the beverage.

The example carrying device 100 may be constructed out of elastic, stretchy, rubberized materials or other suitable fabric or material. A securing mechanism, such as hook and loop fasteners may enable a custom fit to a variety of bag handles 102 or to other articles. Because the example carrying device 100 may be comprised of a soft and stretchy material, the traveler can rest assured that it will not scratch or mar the handle 102 of their bag. The material may also operate as an insulator that helps keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for extended periods of time. Example carrying devices 100 can be made out of such materials as: elastomerics, elasticized fabric, spandex, elastane (e.g., LYCRA), neoprene, cotton, felt, canvas, leather, flannel, velvet, nylon, silk, rubber, and so forth.

In an implementation, the example carrying device 100 can be customized with various pockets for a multitude of personal items. The example carrying device 100 may also be customized to attach to various other articles, such as other types of handles 102 or objects: strollers, golf carts, tools, tool boxes, buckets, ladders, bicycles, shopping carts, chairs, tables, bookshelves, various types of furniture, exercise equipment, and so forth.

In one example configuration, the example carrying device 100 may be transferred and worn on a person's arm. Or, an extension belt or band can be attached to the carrying device 100 to secure the carrying device 100 around a person's waist. This enables the carrying device 100 to assist when the user boards an airplane, train, or shuttle without the carrying device 100 being attached to a luggage handle 102.

The example carrying device 100 may be printed or embroidered with a logo, message, or other advertising to be used as a promotional product for companies, tradeshows, events, and marketing.

In an alternative implementation, the example carrying device 100 holds a cordless drill and other tools, providing an advantage on a ladder or other structure. The example carrying device 100 may also be strapped around the legs of a ladder, or around studs or pipes encountered while framing or working around a building. In an implementation, the example carrying device 100 serves as a neoprene tool belt that releasably secures to the user's waist or a ladder, allowing the user to control where and how the tools are stored and accessed. 

1. An apparatus, comprising: a flexible band; at least one holder attached to the flexible band; and a fastener attached to the flexible band to enable the flexible band to be attached around articles of various sizes.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible band has a width dimension sufficient to secure the flexible band to an article such that a container held by the holder remains substantially upright.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the holder secures a container for liquid such that a surface of the liquid remains horizontal.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fastener allows the flexible band to be adjusted to attach to a handle of a piece of luggage and to be adjusted to attach around a user's waist.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible band is constructed of a flexible material, the flexible material selected from the group of flexible materials consisting of an elastomeric, an elasticized fabric, spandex, an elastane, LYCRA, nylon, neoprene, cotton, felt, flannel, velvet, silk, canvas, leather, and rubber.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible band has a width dimension substantially similar to the height of a cup, for securing the cup in an upright position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a band of material, each end of the band of material attached to the flexible band.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a pocket.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder is sized to fit one of a beverage cup, a liquid container, a fluid bottle, a baby bottle, a baby food container, a Styrofoam cup, a soda can, a soda bottle, an ice cream cone, a pack of cigarettes, a condiment, a magazine, a newspaper, a business card, money, coins, a boarding pass, a passport, a driver's license, a cell phone, a smart phone, a mobile computing device, an IPOD, an IPAD, a tool, a portable drill, a screwdriver, a pair of pliers, a hammer, a brush, a toothbrush, a contact lens case, eyeglasses, a comb, a hat, gloves, earplugs, nose plugs, a wallet, a camera, binoculars, a sports drink, an energy bar, a swim cap, a towel, body tape, an air pump, sandals, a heart rate monitor, a timing chip, or a tire patch kit.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises one of a set of hook and loop fasteners, a snap, a button, a zipper, a hook, a clasp, an adhesive, a lace, straps, or a buckle.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible band attaches to an article via a non-slip surface of the flexible band.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible band and the fastener enable the apparatus to attach to a handle, a suitcase, a piece of luggage, a carrying bag, a handle of a rolling container, a user's waist, a user's midsection, a user's leg, a user's arm, a bicycle, a bag, a tool box, a cooler, a liquid dispenser, a beer keg, a box, a lifting dolly, a briefcase, a bucket, a ladder, a lawnmower, a wagon, a tractor, a golf bag, a golf cart, a boat, a motorcycle, a work table, a computer box, a post, a pillar, a fence, a shopping cart, legs of a folding table, backrest of a folding chair, or support members of a ladder.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flexible belt is configured as a bra or a sports top.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the holder secures an open drink in an upright position to prevent spilling a contents of the open drink.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is easily folded in to a compact easy-store configuration.
 16. A carrying device, comprising: a flexible band capable of snugly attaching around articles of various shapes and various sizes; a non-slip surface on an inner gripping surface of the flexible band; and at least one article holder attached to the flexible band.
 17. The carrying device of claim 16, wherein the article holder comprises a tapered band or a tapered pocket for holding a conical article.
 18. The carrying device of claim 16, wherein the article holder comprises a band, wherein the band is adjustable to hold articles of different sizes at various times.
 19. The carrying device of claim 16, wherein the flexible band flexes and grips for snug fit and attachment to one of a backrest of a portable folding chair, legs of a portable folding table, back supports of a portable folding ladder, a circumference of a portable plastic utility carrier, or a portable golf (club) bag.
 20. The carrying device of claim 16, wherein the carrying device folds into a compact easy-store configuration. 